The Iowa Democratic Caucus is going down to the wire as Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders wins
the support of 49 percent of likely Democratic Caucus participants, with 44 percent for former
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and 4 percent for former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley,
according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

This compares to the results of a December 15 survey by the independent Quinnipiac
(KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University showing Clinton at 51 percent, with 40 percent for Sanders.

Today, 3 percent are undecided and only 20 percent of those who name a candidate say
they might change their mind.

There is a yawning gender gap as men back Sanders 61 - 30 percent, with 6 percent for
O'Malley, while women back Clinton 55 - 39 percent, with 3 percent for O'Malley.

Sanders also has a big lead on favorability as likely Democratic Caucus participants give
him an 87 - 3 percent favorability rating, compared to Clinton's 74 - 21 percent score.

But 85 percent of Democrats say Clinton would have a good chance of winning in
November, while 68 percent say Sanders has a good chance of winning the main event.

"Iowa may well become Sen. Bernie Sanders' 'Field of Dreams,' said Peter A. Brown,
assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.

"After three months of Secretary Hillary Clinton holding an average 10-point lead among
Iowa Democrats, the playing field has changed.

"Sen. Sanders' surge seems based on the perception by Iowa Democrats that he is a better
fit for Iowans. They see him, by solid double digit margins as more sharing their values, more
honest and trustworthy and viewed more favorably overall than is Secretary Clinton."

"Iowa likely Democratic Caucus-goers see Sanders as better able to handle the economy
and climate change, two important issues for Democrats and a key asset for him in the home
stretch," Brown added.

"The Democratic race is different than the GOP contest because it lacks a divisive tone.
Iowa Democrats like both major candidates personally; they just like Sen. Sanders more.

"While former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley has been an also-ran in the race, his
handful of supporters could be crucial if the Sanders-Clinton race goes down to the wire."

The economy and jobs is the most important issue for 35 percent of Iowa likely
Democratic Caucus participants in deciding their vote, as 15 percent list health care; 11 percent
cite climate change and 9 percent say foreign policy.

Sanders can best handle the economy, 51 percent of Democrats say, while 39 percent say
Clinton can do better on this issue.

Sanders also leads 51 - 32 percent on handling climate change.

Clinton has a huge 70 - 23 percent lead on handling foreign policy and another big
63 - 24 percent lead handling terrorism. She has a narrow 48 - 43 percent lead on health care.

Sanders also leads Clinton on most character traits as Democratic Caucus-goers say:

From January 5 - 10, Quinnipiac University surveyed 492 Iowa likely Democratic
Caucus participants with a margin of error of +/- 4.4 percentage points. Live interviewers call
land lines and cell phones.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia,
Iowa, Colorado and the nation as a public service and for research.

For more information, visit http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling, call (203) 582-5201, or
follow us on Twitter @QuinnipiacPoll.

3. If the Democratic caucus were being held today, and the candidates were Hillary Clinton, Martin O'Malley, and Bernie Sanders, who would you support? (If undecided) If you had to choose today, would you support Clinton, O'Malley, or Sanders?

4. Compared to past presidential caucuses in Iowa, how would you describe your level of enthusiasm about attending this year's presidential caucus on February first; are you more enthusiastic than usual, less enthusiastic, or about the same as usual?

38. Which of these is the most important issue to you in deciding who to support for the Democratic nomination for President: the economy and jobs, terrorism, immigration, the federal deficit, health care, foreign policy, climate change, race relations, abortion, taxes, or gun policy?

58. Thinking about the Democratic nominee for president in 2016, which of the following is most important to you: Someone who shares your values, cares about the needs and problems of people like you, has strong leadership qualities, is honest and trustworthy, has the right kind of experience, or has the best chance of winning?